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Arcademan:
WWE Hell In A Cell PPV Results: 10-3-10

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's ongoing report).

1 -- DANIEL BRYAN vs. THE MIZ vs. JOHN MORRISON -- U.S. Title Match - Submissions Count Anywhere

During Morrison's ring entrance, they showed Jerry Lawler, Cole, and Matt Striker at ringside. What if the alarming drop in PPV buys lately is because so few people want to spend three hours of their lives with Striker being Striker? Cole went into his anti-Bryan bit, saying his dream ends tonight and he's going home without gold. Miz walked out and said: "This is ridiculous. I was the mentor of both of you. Neither you would be here if it weren't for me." He said without either of them, he'd still be a huge star in WWE "because I have 'it.' I have the star quality." He predicted he'll walk out as the U.S. Champion. He declared: "I never tap out because I am the Miz and I'm awesome." Lawler said Cole had goosebumps. Cole said Miz is fantastic and the future of pro wrestling.

The match began at 8:07 p.m. Miz ran from Morrison. Bryan battled Morrison in some chain wrestling as Miz observed from ringside. Cole hyped a number of countries WWE is watched in. It's not bad to push how many countries they're seen in, but anyone who posts on YouTube tonight might end up being seen in a few dozen countries by the end of this PPV, too, so it doesn't mean what it once did. Miz went after Morrison at 3:00. Bryan intervened and applied Cattle Mutilation on Miz. Cole couldn't believe that's what it was called. It's a strange name for a move applied by a vegan. Miz reached the bottom rope to force a break. Bryan threw some round kicks to Miz's chest. Then he settled into a leglock. Miz screamed in pain and tried to roll free. They kicked each other in the head with their free leg repeatedly. Morrison re-entered and gave a corkscrew moonsault to both men, breaking up the hold. Morrison then applied a leglock on Bryan. Miz broke it up at 5:00.

Miz and Morrison brawled into the crowd. Miz applied an armbar. Morrison slapped his way free. Miz put Morrison in a modified Dragon Sleeper up against a guard rail. Bryan broke it up. Miz threw Bryan face-first into the trash can. He slapped him and then called a spot. Bryan took him down with an armbar. Morrison joined in and they brawled onto the stage. Morrison threw Miz behind the stage lighting area. Then he leaped off the hockey boards with a roundkick. Miz charged at Morrison with an equipment box on wheels. He threw Bryan onto it and rolled it into the ramp. Morrison leaped over the box and kicked Miz, then surprised Miz with a leglock submission. Bryan intervened. Miz gave Morrison the Skull Crushing Finale on the floor at 10:00.

Miz and Bryan knocked each other down with simultaneous clotheslines. Morrison then climbed up the stage set and leaped off of it onto Miz and Bryan as they stood up, landing mostly on Miz. All three were slow to get up. They replayed the dive from two angles. Morrison got up and applied a Texas cloverleaf. As Miz seemed on the verge of tapping, Alex Riley interfered. Bryan jumped Riley and knocked him into the cameraman near by. Brian applied his Lebell Lock on the stage. Miz yelled for about five seconds and then tapped out. Because Brian made Miz tap out again, Cole conceded: "I admit it, Daniel Bryan is the real deal. I still think he's a nerd."

WINNER: Bryan to retain the U.S. Title in 14:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 -- Very good opener. Good mix of innovative submissions along with some big highspots and a satisfying finish.

2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. SHEAMUS -- WWE Title Match

When was the last time the WWE Title was defended on the second match on a show (perhaps not counting the Royal Rumble PPVs)? Sheamus came out first. Orton got a nice pop when his music played. Orton smiled with his eyes as he stared at Sheamus inside the Cell. During ring intros, Orton and Sheamus stared each other down about two feet from one another. The crowd chanted "RKO! RKO!" as the bell rang to start the match at 8:33 p.m. Cole said this match is so dangerous, there have only been 20 of them. I bet there have been fewer lingerie matches in WWE, so does that make a lingerie match even more dangerous?

Cole noted that Orton said he'll do anything, regardless of honor, to win this match, and that makes him especially dangerous in a Cell. At 1:00 Orton clotheslined Sheamus over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus threw Orton into the Cell wall, then entered the ring. At 4:00 they returned to ringside where Sheamus reverse whipped Orton into the cage and then clotheslined him. He picked up the ringside steps and threw them toward Orton, but Orton ducked out of the way. He then picked up Sheamus and rammed him into the wall of the cage twice. Striker said it'll be interesting how Sheamus feels after getting his first taste of the Cell. Orton picked up the ringside steps and hit Sheamus in the head with them. This is where WWE loses a lot of fans because they want to see blood in these situations. Sheamus reversed an Orton suplex attempt and then knocked him off the ring apron into the cage at 6:00.

Sheamus went on methodical offense against Orton. He removed a turnbuckle pad, but Orton blocked Sheamus's attempt to ram his head into the exposed turnbuckle. At 10:00 Sheamus remained in control inside the ring, mixing stomps and mat holds. Orton made a comeback at 11:00 and knocked Sheamus into the corner without the turnbuckle pad. Both were slow to get up. They exchanged punches in center-ring. Orton slipped out of Sheamus's arms and hit two clotheslines and a snap powerslam and a belly-to-belly for a two count. Orton was selling a lingering rib injury. Sheamus went for a one-arm slam, but Orton elbowed free and then set up for the RKO. Sheamus blocked it and then sent Orton into the ropes and hit him with a knee to his injured ribs on the rebound.

Sheamus brought the base of the ringside steps into the ring. Orton escaped a slam attempt and then powerslammed Sheamus onto it. Orton snapped Sheamus's neck over the top rope and then dragged him off the ring apron with a DDT onto the floor. Orton continued to sell his ribs. Sheamus got up and shoved Orton into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Sheamus climbed onto the steps with Orton in hand. He gave him a backbreaker. The announcers had to explain how that hurt more because there was no give underneath Sheamus's feet upon impact unlike on the mat. Sheamus then gave Orton his thrust kick tot he jaw for a believable near fall at 18:00. Orton's kickout got a nice pop from the crowd.

Sheamus grabbed a chair at ringside. He bashed Orton across the back and hip with it several times, then made another cover for a two count. Sheamus grew frustrated. Sheamus wildly swung a chair at Orton, but Orton ducked and he hit a sudden RKO. Sheamus rolled out of the ring. Orton was disappointed he couldn't make the cover. He followed Sheamus to the floor. Orton rolled to the floor and set up a punt kick. Sheamus, though, avoided the kick and then countered immediately with a thrust kick to Orton's face.

Sheamus rolled Orton into the ring and made the cover. Orton kicked out right before three at 21:00. Sheamus pounded the mat in frustration. He got up, played to the crowd, and moved the ring step base to center-ring again. Sheamus set up his High Cross, but Orton countered by sweeping Sheamus's legs. Some fans chanted "RKO! RKO!" Orton delivered with an RKO on the steps. He covered Sheamus and scored the three count.

Orton held the title belt in the air afterward and let a little half smile escape. He wrapped the title belt around his waist and then climbed the cage. He walked on top of the roof and held his belt in the air.

WINNER: Orton in 23:00.

STAR RATING: **** -- Very good title match. Not a match of the year contender (some bleeding would have helped in that regard), but nothing to complain about. Two pros putting on a good match.

3 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. EDGE

The bell rang to start the match at 9:13 p.m. Swagger went on early offense, but Edge made a comeback at 1:00. Striker said Cole reads those emails with such enthusiasm. Cole said he is just doing his job. Swagger dominated the first five minutes including a body scissors mid-ring. Edge attempted a comeback at 6:00, but Swagger blocked an leglock attempt. He countered by slamming Swagger back-first drop-slam to the mat and leveraged him into a two count. Swagger countered with an anklelock. Edge grabbed the bottom rope to force a break.

Edge climbed to the top rope at 8:00 and hit a flying dropkick. Cole said it's not often you see Edge climb to the top rope. Edge scored a two count. Not a ton of heat because, well, once again Edge turned without turning and this match wasn't scheduled (and therefore lacking that anticipation build-up over time). Edge climbed to the top again, but Swagger charged at him and threw him quickly to the mat. Swagger scored a two count. Edge came back and set up a spear a minute later, but Swagger side-stepped it and turned it into a gut-wrench powerbomb for a near fall at 11:00. Edge went one way and Swagger the other as Swagger went for a Dragon screw. Edge's knee torqued bad, but he apparently was okay as Swagger moved in with an anklelock. Edge grabbed the bottom rope, but Swagger dragged him back to the middle. Edge escaped on his own and hit a spear for the win.

WINNER: Edge in 12:00.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Good action, but felt a little flat for some reason despite a solid effort from the two wrestlers.

Continued in next post...

Arcademan:
4 -- JOHN CENA vs. WADE BARRETT -- Hell in a Cell Match with Special Stips

After a video recap of their feud, Barrett walked out to the ring first. Cena ran to the ring as Cole said Cena has been the poster child of WWE and "embodies everything this company stands for." He said tonight he puts it all on the line because if he loses, he must join Nexus (whatever that means, since they've left it to fans' imaginations what that entails). The bell rang to start the match at 9:34 p.m. They opened with a collar and elbow which Barrett quickly turned into a headlock. Cena countered quickly with an armbar. Cena leapfrogged Barrett and then hit a dropkick leading to a two count at 2:00. Striker said, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but Cena is out-grappling Wade Barrett."

At 4:00 Cena lifted Barett for the Attitude Adjustment, at which point the rest of Nexus came to ringside. Cena dropped Barrett and turned toward them. Barrett hit Cena from behind, then jumped to ringside to scold Nexus for coming to ringside despite his instructions. Barrett whipped Cena into the ringside barrier and then yelled at the rest of Nexus again asking them who was in charge. He threw Cena into the ring and made the cover. Cena kicked out at two. Barrett methodically fended off Cena's comeback attempts and remained on offense. A "Let's Go Cena" chant broke out at 7:00. Striker said every WWE Superstar has vested interest in the outcome of this match. Cole said they're glued to monitors backstage. Striker wondered if Cena would be subservient to Barrett if he's forced to join Nexus or if he'd try to lead it. Striker said he's intrigued by the possibility.

Cena made a comeback at 8:00 with two flying shoulder tackles and a sideslam. He signaled for the You Can't See Me routine and then dropped the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Big Show ran to ringside and attacked Nexus. Mark henry, Goldust, The Hart Dynasty, Kofi Kingston, Bryan, Chris Masters, Dolph Ziggler, Morrison, MVP, and Evan Bourne ran out and attacked the ringside Nexus members. As Cena watched wiht a smile, Cole said the playing field is even again. Cena then went for an STF, but a rested Barrett kicked out and sidekicked Cena in the gut. He then slammed Cena and scored a two count.

As Barrett continued a run of offense, Striker pointed out the young boys and women were cheering Cena while the men were cheering Barrett. Lawler said, "Your point?" It's not often, if ever, the announcers get that specific with detailing the crowd split with Cena. Barrett set Cena on the top rope, but Cena knocked Barrett down when he met him up there. He followed with a top rope legdrop to the back of Barrett's shoulders, which led to a two count. At 16:00 Cena lifted Barett for a AttAdj, but Barrett escaped and gave Cena his Wasteland finisher. "Oh no! Oh no!" said Cole, but Cena kicked out. Everyone took a deep breath - the wrestlers, fans, and announcers.

When Barrett stood, Cena surprised him with an AttAdj for a believable near fall. Striker said Barrett is as tough as they come. Cole asked, "Can you believe this match?" It has been good, with the match stipulation really adding to the drama of each near fall. Cena slipped on an STF next in mid-ring. Cole called for Barrett to tap out. A "fan" slipped the ring. The referee smothered him. Cena released the hold. A security guard joined the ref in subduing the "fan." Then someone else blind-sided Cena with a weapon. Cole asked, "What the hell just happened!" Barrett covered a KO'd Cena. Cole said, "No way! No way!" They cut to great shots of fans reacting to the loss - kids, women, men, all with their jaws dropped or holding their heads in shock. Cole said there was a hit and run. Striker said Raw live tomorrow night is going to be awesome. Striker asked if there was a shirt available to put on Cena now. He said nothing will ever be the same. "This is not happening," Cole said. "This is a tragedy." It looked on replay like Husky Harris hit Cena. He deserves a roster spot, so good if it was him. The initial fan could have been another NXT alum, but there was no shot of his face.

The Nexus celebrated in the ring and lifted Barrett onto their shoulders. Cena eventually got up as the crowd stood in stunned silence. Cena regained his senses and just looked blankly and gulped. They continued to show fans reacting with tears and disbelief and jaws dropped and arms crossed. Great camera work. Cena hugged a couple fans at ringside. Lawler said it almost seemed like Cena was saying good bye to his fans.

WINNER: Barrett in 18:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 -- Good match. Cena carried Barrett to a match that told a really good story. The post-match selling of everything was WWE at its best. Remember, Barrett wasn't in on that finish, and that wasn't necessary for that story to play out that way unless they're planting seeds for Barrett being upset with Nexus giving him a dirty win rather than him winning on his own, as he seemed confident he could do.

5 -- MICHELLE MCCOOL (w/Layla) vs. NATALYA -- Divas Title Match

As Natalya came out, Cole saluted the troops watching all over the globe. This match gets second-from-top billing not because it's considered a co-main event, but rather it's the match that could be cut down or expanded depending on how the show is running time-wise. That said, a good side-effect is making the title seem a little more prestigious based on the positioning on the show. The match began at 10:03 p.m. McCool and Layla double-teamed Natalya at ringside at 1:00. Back in the ring McCool applied a body scissors.

Natalya made a comeback at 4:00 Layla stood on the ring apron. Natalya turned her attention to her and grabbed her by her hair. McCool kicked at Natalya, but kicked Layla instead. Natalya rolled up McCool for a two count. McCool countered with a snap belly-to-belly. At 5:00 Natalya applied a sharpshooter. Layla threw her shoe at Natalya, prompting the DQ.

WINNER: Natalya in 5:00 via DQ so LayCool retained the Divas Championship.

STAR RATING: * -- On the way to being better than usual for a women's match in WWE, but that finish was bad.

Concluded in next post...

Arcademan:
6 -- UNDERTAKER (w/Paul Bearer) vs. KANE -- World Title Match / Hell in a Cell

After a video package, Kane came out first, then Taker and Bearer. Kane jump-started the match by attacking Taker as he and Bearer approached the cage door. The match began officially at 10:20 p.m. Taker beat up Kane at ringside, including jabbing him with a chair in the opening minute. Kane legdropped Kane and scored a two count early. When he went for a chokeslam, Kane countered with an eye poke. Kane then rammed a chair into Taker's abdomen and then bashed him across the back. They took turns on on the offensive for several minutes at ringside. Taker hit a guillotine legdrop at 7:00.

Taker body scissored Kane mid-ring. Kane fought out of it and punched Taker several times at 8:00. Taker fired back with a flying clothesline. Taker limped toward Kane and applied an armbar, then climbed to the top rope for the top rope walk. Kane quickly knocked Taker off balance by clotheslining his injured leg. Kane hit a top rope clothesline at 12:00. Taker, though, surprised Kane with Hell's Gate. Lawler said he didn't quite have the full grip. Kane shifted himself under the bottom rope to the floor and pulled himself free.

They both stood and gave each other simultaneous big boots to the face. Kane and Taker both sat up at the same time about 20 seconds later. They punched each other o their knees, which got the crowd involved and chanting along with each punch. Taker seemed to be getting the better of Kane, but Kane then stood and hit Taker with an uppercut. Taker came back seconds later with a chokeslam for a two count at 15:00. They showed Bearer at ringside hitting the cage and yelling, "Damn! Damn! Damn!"

Taker set up a Last Ride, but Kane escaped by hitting Taker's injured leg. He then chokeslammed Taker for a two count. The crowd didn't buy it as a possible finish. Kane punched Taker in the corner, but Taker countered with a powerbomb out of the corner for a more believable near fall at 17:00. Taker lifted Kane for a Tombstone, but Kane countered with his own Tombstone. He almost slipped trying to get a good grip. It led to a two count. Kane couldn't believe Taker kicked out. He turned to the ref, yelled, "That was three!" and then punched the ref. He pounded the mat and threw a fit. The ref at ringside called for help from the back. They opened the cage door and several officials and referees helped that ref out of the ring.

Bearer walked into the ringside area and was locked inside the Cell. Kane saw that and walked toward Bearer. Bearer waddled away. Kane ordered him to enter the ring. He had the urn with him. He begged off in the corner. Kane told him he shouldn't have come back. "Do you have any idea what I'm going to do to you?" he said. Taker, though, sat up and chokeslammed Kane. Taker looked at Bearer, who held up the magical urn. Bearer smiled. Taker rolled his eyes back and then did the throat-slice gesture. Thunder noises filled the arena and the lights flickered purple. Bearer opened the urn and a light shined out of it into Taker's eyes, blinding him. Bearer held it in front of Taker and told him to stand, but he looked devilish. He handed Kane the urn. Taker looked confused. Kane looked confused, too, but he grabbed the urn. Kane then KO'd a stunned Taker in the face. The crowd booed. Kane gave Taker a chokeslam for the win. Cole said it was the ultimate act of treason. "Why would Paul Bearer bring Undertaker back from the brink of destruction just to destroy him again?" asked Cole. Good question.

WINNER: Kane in 22:00.

STAR RATING: **3/4 -- Some of the match was good, some of it dragged, and unfortunately the finish was just too complex or not well executed, as it came off flat and somewhat confusing as it played out. It's too bad because the pieces were there for a good turn, but perhaps Bearer is just so slow and awkward in his movements, it slowed everything down a little too much. Plus, if Bearer was going to turn on Taker, there were plenty of times in that match when it might have ended before he had the chance, and if appeared Kane wasn't in on it, so had Kane not hit the ref, Bearer wouldn't have had the chance to enter the cage to execute his plan. So Bearer, storyline-wise, was very lucky to have the chance to turn on Taker.

Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 10-3-10

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- JOHN CENA & MICHAEL TARVER vs. EVAN BOURNE & MARK HENRY

The bell sounded and Cena walked center ring. Cena offered a handshake to Bourne, who accepted. Cena backed off to the corner as Tarver shouted at him that this isn't how they do it. Cena slapped in Tarver to "show him how it's done." Tarver then pounded on Bourne and shouted at Cena. Cole posed the question of whether Cena will be a willing partner on the other side of the break.

Back from break, Henry was working on Tarver as Cole reset a "surreal scene." Cole smiled as Henry pounded on Tarver, who was then taken into the babyface corner. Cena then pretended to stick out a hand for a tag as Tarver was isolated way across the ring. Cena continued to mockingly reach for a tag, which drew a crowd pop. Henry then tagged in and Tarver reached out for a tag, but Cena pulled his hand away. Cole wondered what Barrett is thinking about this. Suddenly, Henry and Tarver came to a standstill before Henry clubbed him across the back. Henry then stepped on Tarver's chest and tagged in Bourne. Bourne followed with a nice standing moonsault, but Tarver kicked out. Cena continued to mockingly reach out a hand for a tag.

Tarver fought back at 7:30 before Bourne caught him in the corner with a kick strike. Tarver then followed with a belly-to-belly suplex. Tarver tried to make another tag, but Cena dropped off the ring apron to start signing autographs. Tarver was pissed. In the background, Henry snuck in the ring. Tarver freaked, then Henry scooped him up and landed the World's Strongest Slam center ring. Henry with the cover for the win as Cena signed Cole's format sheet.

WINNERS: Henry & Bourne at 8:55. The match was mainly a set up for the post-match advancement, but it was needed to "give the fanbase some hope" and let Cena act like a babyface to the crowd's delight before the impending dilemma Cena would face. (*1/4)

2 -- ALICIA FOX vs. NATALYA

Immediately back from break, Alicia was in the ring doing a weird hand gesture toward Natalya, who was also in the ring. Eventually, Alicia made the gesture of a "heart breaking." Natalya won this in under 45 seconds with the Sharpshooter. She then posed in the ring and pointed to the crowd.

WINNER: Natalya at 0:38. If you blinked, you missed it. A quick squash for Natalya, but not enough emphasis on this one minute of TV for it to mean anything. (n/a)

3 -- U.S. champion DANIEL BRYAN vs. SHEAMUS -- non-title match

Cole noted Sheamus is a very frustrated man following his loss to Randy Orton at the PPV. Sheamus blasted away at Bryan over and over again. He landed about ten knee drops to the head near the ropes, causing a DQ. Bryan was face-down on the mat selling unconsciousness. Sheamus then finished off Bryan with the High Cross running Razor's Edge. Sheamus glared into the crowd before his music played.

WINNER: Bryan via DQ at 0:30. Of all the wrestlers on the roster to use in that spot, they chose Bryan fresh off an important U.S. Title retention on the PPV last night with no follow-up on Bryan solidifying himself as a legitimate force in WWE? We'll see if there's any type of follow-up to make right on that. It was the right booking of Sheamus in this spot needing to get his heat back after the title loss. (n/a)

4 -- LAY-COOL (Unified divas champion MICHELLE MCCOOL & LAYLA) vs. BELLA TWINS

Already in the ring back from break were the Bella Twins. Out came Lay-Cool as their opponents, with Lay-Cool able to cross over between brands with McCool the "Unified Divas champion." In the process, the "attraction" of being able to see brand-specific talent on separate brands continues to be watered down little by little. The Bellas quickly pulled off the Switcheroo and McCool went for a roll-up, only to be crucifix pinned. Layla was great selling from the ring apron. She had her back to the pin and started celebrating until the Bella's music hit. McCool sold embarrassment being pinned as Layla tried to make sense of what happened.

WINNERS: Bellas at 0:59. The combined length of two Divas matches tonight is shorter than the already super-short standard Divas match on Raw. (n/a)

5 -- 20-MAN BATTLE ROYAL -- #1 contender match for the WWE Title

Back live, everyone was assembled in the ring. Nexus + Cena were on one side against the Raw wrestlers. The bell sounded and Bourne was out at 0:08. Sheamus took out D.H. Smith. Regal was out via Cena. Cole then made a mistake saying Sheamus was unable to "retain" the WWE Title at Hell in a Cell. That would be "regain." Santino, then Zack Ryder were out. Primo was next via Mark Henry. Henry is taking out frustration from Saturday. Henry tried to eliminate Barrett, but Cena made the save. Henry asked Cena what's up. Nexus then ganged up on Henry and Cena could only watch as Nexus eliminated Henry. Otunga got in Cena's face, so Cena dumped Otunga over the top rope. Cole said Cena only has to help Barrett, not anyone else in Nexus. Barrett and Cena pointed fingers at each other as they cut to break.

Back from break, Morrison was on the offensive and even went after Cena before attacking Barrett. During the break, Barrett took out Kozlov. Also, Darren Young was kicked out via Nexus. Not a lot of prestige to this match with some of the involved participants. Also, no inclusion of the #2 champion on the Raw brand, Daniel Bryan, is curious. Cena and Barrett stood in one of corner, then Cena went after DiBiase. Sheamus teased an elimination of Slater, but to no avail. Morrison then took out Slater, which drew a pop.

At 10:00, DiBiase nearly eliminated Cena, who held on for dear life. Cena then broke free and saved Barrett from being eliminated. Nice "nearfall." Morrison then eliminated Kidd via springboard Flying Chuck. Down to about eight guys, including a very quiet Miz. Miz then got some TV time working on Morrison. Cena continued to play a bodyguard for Barrett before Cena and Miz came face-to-face. Truth then grabbed Miz from behind, but Miz kicked him away. Morrison suddenly busted out a sweet huracanrana from the ring apron taking Miz over the top rope to the outside. Sheamus and DiBiase then tried to separate Cena from Barrett as they hit the top of the hour.

Cole reset the show as Cena began clubbing Sheamus to protect Barrett. Gabriel suddenly teased an elimination before Truth awkwardly eliminated Gabriel with a kick. Cena and Barrett are the last two Nexus members now. Truth was out next, reducing the number of Raw wrestlers left. Barrett then dumped DiBiase over the top rope, ending his surprisingly long stay in the match. So, it's Morrison and Sheamus vs. Cena and Barrett. Lawler asked the "gray area" question of what happens if Barrett is eliminated, does Cena get fired? Cole said he doesn't know. Morrison then smashed Barrett with a kick from the apron, but he fell off the ring apron and eliminated himself.

So, it's Sheamus, Cena, and Barrett. Cena did his usual routine on Sheamus before dropping the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena then tried to eliminate Sheamus, but Sheamus came back with the Irish Curse backbreaker. And the crowd quieted down. Sheamus then stalked Cena for the Brogue Kick, but Cena ducked and Cena clotheslined Sheamus off the apron to the floor. So, it's Cena and Barrett. The crowd knew what was up as the two men slowly walked toward each other. Cena wanted to square off, but Barrett pointed over the top rope. Would Cena winning a guaranteed #1 contender match over-rule him getting fired? Puzzles wrapped in riddles. The crowd was hot as Barrett ordered Cena to eliminate himself. Cena slowly backed away to the ropes as the crowd loudly chanted, "Let's go Cena." Cena and Barrett then came forehead-to-forehead for a big meeting of the bulls. Cena gritted his teeth and approached the top rope. Cena then climbed over the top rope onto the ring apron. Cole said this is everything he lives for and he can't quit a match. Lawler said he's gone if he doesn't do this. Cena then slowly dropped to the ground and his feet hit the ground. Barrett is your new #1 contender.

Post-match: Exit Cena. Enter Randy Orton. 127 minutes into the show, Orton stomped out to the ring for the first time on the show with WWE Title belt in hand. Orton entered the ring and started circling around Barrett who peered down at him. The circle became smaller before they were within inches of each other. Orton then held up the WWE Title belt and maintained a glare with Barrett. Glare returned. "Is Randy Orton WWE's final hope?" Cole asked as they concluded the show.

WINNER: Barrett at 19:35 to become #1 contender to the WWE Title. The crowd was hot for the story, so that was a good sign for Week 1 of Cena as a Nexus member. Orton vs. Barrett is quite the intriguing one-on-one match, with the added back-story of Cena expected to help Barrett try to win the match.

Arcademan:
ROH on HDNet Live Results: 10-4-10

Results courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Mathieson's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1. Eddie Edwards defeated Kenny King (w/Rhett Titus) to retain the ROH World Television Title in 11:54. Good back and forth action for the first couple minutes led to Edwards getting a nearfall after kicking King after King did a back handspring.

At 3:30, they fought for a suplex on the apron, and King hit a gourdbuster on the ring frame and followed up with a leg drop off the guardrail that got a two count back in the ring. After Edwards broke out of an abdominal stretch, King took control again and went up top, but Edwards hit a superplex.

Edwards hit a couple clotheslines and sent King to the apron, and when King tried to slingshot in, caught him with a kick and dove onto King and Titus on the floor. Edwards hit a backpack stunner at 9:00 for a nearfall and then went up top. King avoided a doublestomp and hit his shotgun knees.

King went for the Coronation but Edwards landed on his feet. King hit a cartwheel kick for a nearfall. Edwards went for a Codebreaker off the ropes, but King caught him into a black hole backbreaker sort of thing and hit a springboard blockbuster for a good nearfall.

King tried a second rope powerbomb, but Edwards reversed into a huracanrana and locked in the Achilles Lock and King tapped out quickly. The crowd changed for Edwards as Mike Hogewood pointed out that Edwards won without Shane Hagadorn in his corner.

Joe's Judgment: Decent match. Nothing groundbreaking, but it was enjoyable to watch. I liked the lack of interference despite Titus being at ringside, and I also like the TV title being actually defended for once. The crowd popped for the Achilles Lock but otherwise weren't all that hot for the match.

2. Tyler Black defeated Mike Sydal in 4:20. Sydal is the younger brother of Evan Bourne, who wrestled on the indy scene, including ROH, as Matt Sydal. Mike Hogewood said that Black is "fulfilling his contractual obligations" with this match, and Dave Prazak said he was just upping his own worth by appearing. The crowd was very anti-Black, chanting "You sold out" before the match started.

Sydal hit a couple low dropkicks but was essentially dominated. Black hit a leaping dropkick to the head of a tree of woe-hung Sydal and Prazak called it "vintage Tyler Black", noting that he hadn't used it much since his days as a tag team champion.

Sydal got a rollup shortly after kicking out of a Black leaping lariat and then hit a few kicks. Black hit an F5 and then God's Last Gift almost immediately after and scored the pin.

Joe's Judgment: I miss Tyler already. I was down on him for a while, but this was a good short match that made him look great.

3. Davey Richards defeated El Generico in 17:07. Davey took down Generico with a drop toehold and worked a headlock briefly before Generico got up and hit a lucha armdrag and some chops. Richards worked the knee around 6:00 with various submissions. Generico slapped a bridging Richards, who had to break the bridge to return the slap, and Generico got out of the hold.

Generico got up selling the knee, and they exhanged forearms until Davey got a solebutt at 8:00 and went for his handspring enzuigiri, but Generico dropkicked him instead. Richards went to the floor and Generico hit his flip dive onto him.

Generico hit a crossbody for two at 9:00 and a blue thunder bomb for another two count shortly thereafter. Richards blocked a forearm strike and hit an enzuigiri and German suplex for a two count. Davey went for a superplex but Generico tried to break free.

Richards got the advantage on the top rope after a couple headbutts and hit the superplex. Generico got to his feet and they traded forearms some more. Richards hit the Alarm Clock and running forearm in the corner, but Generico hit a Yakuza and a half-and-half and went for the brainbuster, which Richards reversed into one of his own for a two count.

At 14:15, Generico crotched Richards on the top turnbuckle and hit an absolutely sick half-nelson superplex. Richards got his hand on the ropes for a great nearfall. Generico went for the top turnbuckle brainbuster but Richards slipped out and hit a dragon screw in the ropes.

Richards went up for the shooting star press and Generico followed him. Richards tried a sunset flip but was unsuccessful, so he just hit a kick and then went to an ankle lock. Generico sent him to ringside and tried another half-and-half suplex, which Davey countered into a rollup and then a Texas Cloverleaf, which ultimately caused Generico to tap out.

Joe's Judgment: Very good match. I would have preferred them not to basically forget the leg work for a few minutes in the middle, but it playing into the finish was great. Richards going over is the right call because he looks strong for his Final Battle title match, and Generico looks vulnerable for the big blowoff with Steen.

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